An investigation into the making of the cultural traditions of kwa Sokhulu chiefdom in modern South Africa: an Afrocentric approach
type: CreativeWork
description: English This research study contributes to the existing body of literature by investigating The Making of the Cultural Traditions of KwaSokhulu Chiefdom in Modern South Africa from an Afrocentric Approach. The KwaSokhulu Chiefdom is situated in the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa, along the east coast between St. Lucia and Richards Bay. The coastline, reserved for subsistence gatherers, stretches approximately two kilometres (Harris, 2000:1). The study was conducted in the Zululand area of KZN, encompassing Mandlazini (the Traditional Seat of the Chiefdom), Emhlangeni, eNtambanana, eMtubatuba, KwaMbonambi, and Enseleni. The research is anchored in the Afrocentric paradigm, focusing on African identity from the viewpoint of African people as centred, located, oriented, and grounded. Molefe Asante's (1987) concept of "Afrocentricity" informed the theoretical framework, emphasizing the need for African people to be historically, economically, socially, politically, and philosophically recentred. A qualitative research design was employed to gain an in-depth understanding of the cultural traditions of the KwaSokhulu Chiefdom. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews with 20 purposively selected participants, comprising traditional leaders, elders, and community members. Focus group discussions and participant observations were also conducted to gather diverse perspectives and enrich the data. Document analysis of historical texts and traditional records supplemented the primary data. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data, allowing for the identification of key patterns and themes related to cultural traditions, roles, and the impact of modernity. Findings reveal that the Chiefdom is traditionally viewed as a complex institution shaped by norms, traditions, achieved and ascribed statuses, roles and expectations. These elements are embedded in belief systems regulated by principles and symbolized through material and abstra…
abstract: English This research study contributes to the existing body of literature by investigating The Making of the Cultural Traditions of KwaSokhulu Chiefdom in Modern South Africa from an Afrocentric Approach. The KwaSokhulu Chiefdom is situated in the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa, along the east coast between St. Lucia and Richards Bay. The coastline, reserved for subsistence gatherers, stretches approximately two kilometres (Harris, 2000:1). The study was conducted in the Zululand area of KZN, encompassing Mandlazini (the Traditional Seat of the Chiefdom), Emhlangeni, eNtambanana, eMtubatuba, KwaMbonambi, and Enseleni. The research is anchored in the Afrocentric paradigm, focusing on African identity from the viewpoint of African people as centred, located, oriented, and grounded. Molefe Asante's (1987) concept of "Afrocentricity" informed the theoretical framework, emphasizing the need for African people to be historically, economically, socially, politically, and philosophically recentred. A qualitative research design was employed to gain an in-depth understanding of the cultural traditions of the KwaSokhulu Chiefdom. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews with 20 purposively selected participants, comprising traditional leaders, elders, and community members. Focus group discussions and participant observations were also conducted to gather diverse perspectives and enrich the data. Document analysis of historical texts and traditional records supplemented the primary data. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data, allowing for the identification of key patterns and themes related to cultural traditions, roles, and the impact of modernity. Findings reveal that the Chiefdom is traditionally viewed as a complex institution shaped by norms, traditions, achieved and ascribed statuses, roles and expectations. These elements are embedded in belief systems regulated by principles and symbolized through material and abstra…
author: Mthiyane, Sikhumbuzo
license: https://uzspace.unizulu.ac.za/bitstreams/0f172ce8-b689-4a69-88b6-0426efcd8401/download
date published: 2024
date modified: 2026-07-24T06:17:03Z
provider: University of Zululand
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Zululand